About the Convention
Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development, UNCED), world leaders agreed on a comprehensive
strategy for "sustainable development" – meeting our needs while ensuring
that we leave a healthy and viable world for future generations. One of the
key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The other so-called Rio Conventions are the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification and the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change.
Importance of the Convention on Biological Diversity
This Convention is the first global agreement on the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity. It is comprehensive in its goals,
and deals with an issue so vital to humanity's future, that it stands as a
landmark in international law. It recognizes – for the first time – that the
conservation of biological diversity is "a common concern of humankind" and
is an integral part of the development process. The agreement covers all
ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. It links traditional
conservation efforts to the economic goal of using biological resources
sustainably. Importantly, the Convention is legally binding; countries that
join it are obliged to implement its provisions.
The Convention reminds decision-makers that natural resources are not
infinite and sets out a new philosophy for the 21st century, that of
sustainable use. While past conservation efforts were aimed at protecting
particular species and habitats, the Convention recognizes that ecosystems,
species and genes must be used for the benefit of humans. However, this
should be done in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term
decline of biological diversity.
Objectives
The objectives of this Convention are the conservation of biological
diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of the commericial and other utilization
of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources
and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account
all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate
funding. When formulating its three main objectives the Convention aims to
find a balance among conservation, sustainable use and fair and equitable
sharing of benefits.
According to the Convention, biological diversity means the variability
among living organisms from all sources including, among others,
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species,
between species and of ecosystems. Sustainable use means the use of
components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead
to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its
potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future
generations.
The Convention on Biological Diversity is not a classical nature
conservation convention as its objectives not only refer to nature
conservation but also to the utilization that directly serves the society’s
interest. Indirectly it has an important message for nature conservation
that the sustainable use of the wildlife is only possible if we do
everything to prevent its degradation.
Commitments
The Convention on Biological Diversity, as an international treaty,
identifies a common problem, sets overall goals and policies and general
obligations, and organizes technical and financial cooperation. However, the
responsibility for achieving its goals rests largely with the countries
themselves. The Convention identifies the tasks of the Contracting Parties
concerning in-situ and ex-situ conservation, the sustainable use of
components of biodiversity, research and training, public education and
awareness, environmental impact assessment and minimizing adverse impacts,
access to and transfer of technology, exchange of information and financial
resources.
Operation of the Convention
The Conference of
the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the Convention, and
advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at
its periodic meetings.
The
Secretariat arranges for and helps the meetings of the
Conference of the Parties and the subsidiary bodies of the Convention and
coordinate with other relevant international bodies. Parties contribute to
the operational costs of the Convention’s Secretariat.
The Subsidiary Body
on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), which
reports regularly to the COP on all aspects of its work. Its functions
include: providing assessments of the status of biological diversity;
assessments of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions
of the Convention; and respond to questions that the COP may put to the
body.
The Global
Environment Facility (GEF) is a financial mechanism, which helps
developing countries and countries with economies in transition (EIT) to
achieve the objectives of the Convention.
